Free food during Drop In. See “Activities” for other events, workshops, and activities not listed as regular above. All regular activities are free and held at 9806 Willow Street, unless stated otherwise.

Want to volunteer? Come help this Sat. Nov. 10th for the 5K Family Fun Pumpkin Spice Run! Contact us at 250-246-3203

Adopt a Family for Christmas, 2015

(aka Christmas Hampers & Turkey Drive)

WHAT IT IS — Every year the Neighbourhood House organizes ‘adopt a family’ (aka Christmas Hampers or Sponsor a Family) for families and individuals experiencing hardship during the Christmas and holiday season. Last year, we handed out family gift boxes full of gifts to 120 families, and an equal number of food hampers with everything needed for a turkey or ham dinner. All adoptions are anonymous; only our office staff knows the identity of those giving and those receiving.

HOW IT WORKS — Local families and individuals submit their gift lists to a registry that we keep anonymous, and then the community comes together to try to fill family members’ wish lists as best they can. We also coordinate our list with those of other organizations and charities in the area.

HOW TO REGISTER YOUR FAMILY — If you would like to be on this list, please come into the office between 1 and 4pm to sign a form for your family. Please be as specific as you can on your gift list (e.g., children’s clothing, shoe sizes, etc.). The registration cut off is in early December, but please register well ahead of time as sponsors need to gift shop, and volunteers need time to organize.

HOW YOU CAN HELP — Register with our office and we will contact you when there are families on the list. We have a more detailed How to Help Adopt a Family for Christmas page with a description of the sponsorship process. Remember, you can always help by volunteering to do the administration, assemble boxes, help with deliveries, and many other tasks. CNHA office at cnhaoffice (at) shaw.ca or leave a message on our machine at 250-246-3203.

Last year, we helped 120 families in the Cowichan and surrounding areas! So please allow a couple days for us to return phone calls and emails. Please do remember that we have no staff and are run entirely on volunteers.

DON’T HAVE TIME? — You can donate right now with our online account at CanadaHelps. We can purchase food and items for much less than retail, so your donation dollars have more impact.

TURKEY DRIVE — The “Turkey Drive” is an essential part of the Adopt a Family for Christmas campaign. Please show your support and help spread the word by “Liking” the Turkey Drive page on Facebook. If you see a good price for turkeys, why not share it on the page to let others know? People like you are who make the drive a success every year!